Self-centering cable strap

ABSTRACT

A self-centering cable strap centers items such as cables, wires and tubes, or bundles thereof, on a bed of the strap. A cinch strap extends from one side of the bed and abutment figures extend from a side of the bed opposite the cinch strap and project laterally and axially relative to the bad

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/223,451; filed Jul. 7, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to straps for encircling andsecuring objects and, more particularly to a cinch strap having a baseor anchor and a strap for holding cables, wires or tubes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable straps are used to secure together items such as bundles of wiresor cables, or to secure wires or cables to objects. For example, whentwo or more wires are run along a common path, to ensure an orderlyappearance cinch straps or cable straps are used to bind the wires orcables together. Similar straps can be used to secure one or severalwires or cables to a frame, pipe or other object fixed in positionrelative to the wires. In this way, the wires can be held in aninconspicuous location, and can be protected from dangerousentanglements or other damage.

The general design of a known cable strap for mounting cables, wires,etc. in structures such as motor vehicles, appliances and the likeincludes some type of anchoring feature, such as deflectable legs forsecuring the cinch strap assembly in an anchoring hole of a component inthe structure, a clamping structure to lock the cable strap in aselected position, etc. A pedestal having an outer bed to support thecables or wires being held extends from the top of the anchoringfeature. A strap connected to the pedestal encircles the cables orwires, and a distal end of the strap is passed through a lockingaperture in the pedestal below the bed. Protrusions on the strap engagecooperating features in the locking aperture to inhibit withdrawal ofthe strap from the locking aperture. In this way, the strap cinches thecable or wires against the pedestal bed.

A recognized phenomenon in the use of such cable straps is that a largecable or bundle of cables frequently will stabilize on the pedestal bedin an off-centered orientation. As the strap encircling the cable orbundle of cables is pulled taut and secured in the locking aperture, thestrap assumes a departing angle from the pedestal closer and closer toninety degrees, thus urging the cable or bundle of cables in a directionaway from the attached end of the cable. This moves the center of thecable or bundle of cables away from the centerline of the pedestal andaway from the centerline of the anchoring feature and anchoring hole.This can cause the anchoring feature to twist or bend relative to theanchoring hole, potentially causing wear and/or dislodgement.

What is needed and would provide advantages is a self-centering cablestrap that promotes alignment of a cable or bundle of cables with thecenterline of the anchoring feature of the cable strap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present self-centering cable strap includes fingers extending awayfrom the bed on the opposite side form the anchored end of the strap tohold a cable or bundle of cables in a more centered orientation on thebed.

In one aspect of one form of a self-centering cable strap, there isprovided a pedestal, a bed for receiving an item held by theself-centering strap and a cinch strap having a proximal end secured tothe pedestal. A strap-receiving aperture is provided in the pedestal. Anabutment finger extends away from the bed from a side of the pedestalopposite from the proximal end of the strap. The finger extendsoutwardly of a plane defined by a surface of the bed.

In another aspect of a form of a self-centering cable strap a main bodydefines a bed outer surface; a cinch strap is connected to the main bodyat a fixed proximal end of the cinch strap and selectively securable tothe main body along a length of the cinch strap including a distal end;and an abutment extends laterally and axially from the bed outer surfacealong a side of the bed opposite the fixed proximal end of the cinchstrap.

In still another aspect of a form of a self-centering cable strap a bodyincludes a mounting feature at one end thereof and a bed having an outersurface at an opposite end thereof, the outer surface configured forengaging an item held there against. A strap receiving aperture isdefined in the body between the mounting feature and the outer surface.A cinch strap has a proximal end fixedly connected to the body and hasand a distal end. The cinch strap is elongated and flexible for forminga loop with the distal end inserted into the strap receiving aperture.An abutment finger extends away from the bed laterally and axially fromthe outer surface on an opposite side of the bed from the proximal endconnected to the body.

An advantage of a self-centering cable strap in at least one form isthat a centered and aligned assembly is provided for the cable strapanchoring feature in an anchoring hole and a cable or bundle of cablesheld by the self-centering strap.

Another advantage of a self-centering cable strap in at least one formis that a clamp requires consistent and controllable closing force forlocking.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon review of the following detaileddescription, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used todesignate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a self-centering cable strap holding acable shown in cross-section;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the self-centering cable strap shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of a self-centering cablestrap;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the self-centering cable strap shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 an elevational view of the self-centering cable strap shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, illustrated holding a bundle of cables;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the anchoring feature of the self-centeringcable strap shown in FIGS. 3-5; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the anchoring feature of the self-centeringcable strap shown in FIGS. 3-6, illustrating the anchoring feature in apartially closed condition.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompassthe items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings more specifically and to FIGS. 1 and 2 inparticular, a self-centering cable strap 10 is shown. Self-centeringcable strap 10 includes a main body 12 and a cinch strap 14 extendingtherefrom for holding an item 16 such as a cable 16. It should beunderstood that, although self-centering cable strap 10 is shown holdinga single cable 16, self-centering cable strap 10 can hold a plurality ofcables 16 of the same size or of different sizes, and can hold wires,tubes, hoses or items other than cable 16 shown. The reference to cableor cables is for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

Self-centering cable strap 10, including main body 12 and cinch strap 14can be made as a monolithic structure of injection molded plastic or thelike.

Main body 12 includes a skirt 18 disposed between a mounting feature 20at one end and a pedestal 22 at the opposite end. Pedestal 22 has a bed24 with an outer surface 26 for engaging an item or items such as cable16 cinched there against by cinch strap 14. Mounting feature 20 can be apair of deflectable legs 28 for securing self-centering cinch strap 10in a mounting hole (not shown) of a structure, in known fashion. Othertypes of mounting features 20 also can be used, including various posts,clamps and the like, as those skilled in the art will understandreadily.

Pedestal 22 defines a cinch strap receiving aperture 30 beneath bed 24outer surface 26. Aperture 30 receives and retains a distal portion ofcinch-strap 14 inserted therethrough.

Cinch strap 14 includes a proximal end 32 connected to pedestal 22 and adistal end 34. Cinch strap 14 is an elongated body of pliable, flexiblematerial, and is of sufficient length such that cinch strap 14 can bewrapped around the item or items such as cable 16 held against bed 24,to form a loop over bed 24 with distal end 34 inserted in andselectively securable to strap receiving aperture 30. Cinch strap 14 caninclude a series of bumps 36 or other structures, such as, for example,knobs, protrusions, transverse ridges, holes and the like on either orboth sides of cinch strap 14 as locking features that cooperate withcomplementary locking features (not shown) within strap receivingaperture 30 to inhibit withdrawal of cinch strap 14 from strap receivingaperture 30. As those skilled in the art will readily understand, suchcooperating locking features on cinch strap 14 and in strap receivingaperture 30 can be directionally operational to facilitate easyinsertion of cinch strap 14 in strap receiving aperture 30 andtightening of cinch strap 14 against item or items to 16 whileinhibiting movement of cinch strap 14 in the reverse direction forwithdrawal of cinch strap 14 from strap receiving aperture 30.

Cinch strap proximal end 32 can be thinner than a central segment 38 ofcinch strap 14 to promote flexibility and bending of proximal end 32away from the attachment to pedestal 22. One or more elongated bumper40, 42 can be provided on the inner surface of proximal end 32 to engageagainst the item or items 16 being held. In the exemplary embodimentshown, two elongated bumpers 40, 42 are shown, although more or fewerbumpers 40, 42 also can be used. Distal end 34 also can be thinner thancentral segment 38 to facilitate bending and orientation for insertioninto strap receiving aperture 30. Gripping ridges 44 can be provided onone or both primary surfaces of distal end 34 to facilitate grasping andpulling as a cinch strap 14 is pulled through strap receiving aperture30 and snugged against the item or items 16 being held.

First and second abutment fingers 50, 52 extend away from bed 24 on aside thereof opposite from the attachment of strap proximal end 32.Abutment fingers 50, 52 are curved extensions from bed 24 that extendlaterally from bed 24 and away from outer surface 26 in a direction awayfrom pedestal 22. Accordingly, abutment fingers 50, 52 have abutmentfinger proximal ends 54, 56 connected to pedestal 22 and/or bed 24 andabutment finger distal ends 58, 60 spaced from bed 24 outer surface 26both laterally and axially relative to the center line of self-centeringcable strap 10. In the vertical orientation shown, abutment fingerdistal ends 58, 60 are above the plane of outer surface 26 of bed 24.Abutment fingers 50, 52 serve as retention fingers for positioning itemor items 16 whereby the item or items 16 can not roll easily over orbeyond abutment finger distal ends 58, 60. The length and/or angularorientation of each abutment finger 50, 52 can be selected depending onthe size of the item or items 16 to be held. Item or items 16 of smallerdiameter may be associated with shorter abutment fingers 50, 52 risingmore abruptly, while wide diameter item or items 16 can be held moresecurely with longer abutment fingers 50, 52 rising more gradually.

As seen in FIG. 1, bed 24 and abutment fingers 50, 52 define a cradlefor holding item or items 16. As cinch strap 14 is tightened againstitem or items 16 the item or items 16 are urged against abutment fingers50, 52 but do not roll there beyond. Accordingly, the item or items 16are centered on bed 24 in substantial center line alignment with mainbody 12.

A second embodiment of a self-centering cable strap 110 is shown inFIGS. 3-7. Self-centering cable strap 110 includes a main body 112 and acinch strap 114 extending therefrom for holding an item or items 116such as cables 116 a-c. It should be understood that, althoughself-centering cable strap 110 is shown holding three cables 116 a, 116b and 116 c, self-centering cable strap 110 can hold more or fewer items116 of the same size or of different sizes, and can hold wires, tubes,hoses or items other than cables 116 a-c shown. Main body 112 and cinchstrap 114 are similar to main body 12 and a cinch strap 14 describedpreviously herein with respect to self-centering cable strap 10, exceptfor the features to be described subsequently herein relating to amounting feature 120 of self-centering cable strap 110. Accordingly, apedestal 122, a bed 124 having an outer surface 126 are provided similarto mounting pedestal 22, bed 24 and outer surface 26 describedpreviously. A strap receiving aperture 130 is similar to strap receivingaperture 30. Cinch strap 114 has a strap proximal end 132 and a strapdistal end 134 with locking features 136, a cinch strap central segment138 bumpers 140, 142 and gripping ridges 144 similar to strap proximalend 32, strap distal end 34, central segment 38, bumpers 40, 42 andgripping ridges 44 described previously herein with respect toself-centering cable strap 10. Abutment fingers 150, 152 similar toabutment fingers 50, 52 have abutment finger distal ends 158, 160

Mounting feature 120 is a clamp-like device for capturing a structure170 which may be a rod, pipe, hose, structural member or other body forholding self-centering cable strap 110. Mounting feature 120 includes abase 172 and a cover 174 connected one to another by a hinge 176. Hinge176 is a thinned, flexible region of material interconnecting base 172and cover 174, allowing relative rotation and movement between base 172and cover 174 between closed and opened conditions shown in FIGS. 5 and6, respectively. An outer edge of cover 174 opposite hinge 176 defines alatch 178 for engaging base 172 and holding the relative positions ofbase 172 and cover 174 in the closed condition. To provide a consistentand controlled required latching force of latch 178 to base 172, aflexible spring connection 180 is defined between latch 178 and cover174. Accordingly, deflection in cover 174 or deflection in latch 178 isnot required to engage latch 178 with base 172. Instead, the forcerequired for latching is determined and controlled by the deflection ofspring connection 180. As shown in FIG. 7, latch 178 can be deflectedslightly, as indicated by the dashed outline of latch 178, through theflexure of spring connection 180. The force required to engage latch 178with base 172 is determined by the stiffness of spring connection 180,with can be increased or decreased in many ways, including by varyingthe thickness and breadth of spring connection 180.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, self-centering cable straps 10 and110 include mounting features 20, 120 centered or aligned with pedestals22, 122 which are then aligned axially with outer surfaces 26, 126,respectively. However, as those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand, in some cable strap embodiments the mounting features areintentional offset by a specified amount in relation to the pedestalsand beds thereof. The self-centering features described herein,including the use of appropriate abutment fingers such as abutmentfingers 50, 52, 150, 152 described herein, can be used advantageouslyalso with cable strap embodiments having mounting features offset bydesign in relation to the pedestals and beds thereof. The self-centeringfeature which keeps the cables, wires, tubes and the like centered tothe pedestal and bed will also help maintain the desired offsetrelationship with the mounting feature, and the desired positioning andattachment within the overall assembly. For example, in some assembliesa hole, tube or other structural feature to which the mounting featureof the cable strap can be attached is not and cannot be centered oraligned with the desired path for routing the cables, wires, tubes andthe like being held by the cable strap. In such situations, a cablestrap having a designed offset between the cable strap mounting featureand the pedestal and bed for retaining the cables, tubes or wires isused. Facilitating proper alignment of the cables, tubes or wires on thepedestal and bed facilitates the desired and designed overallrelationship of the components, and the desired positioning of the cablestrap in the assembly. Accordingly, the exemplary illustrations havingmounting features aligned with the beds is not limiting on the use orapplication of the self-centering features disclosed herein, and is notintended to be limiting on the claims to follow.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope ofthe present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed anddefined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more ofthe individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/ordrawings. All of these different combinations constitute variousalternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments describedherein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention andwill enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. Theclaims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to theextent permitted by the prior art.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

1. A self-centering strap, comprising; a pedestal; a bed for receivingan item held by the self-centering strap; a cinch strap having aproximal end secured to said pedestal; a strap-receiving aperture insaid pedestal; and an abutment finger extending away from said bed froma side of said pedestal opposite from said proximal end of said strap,said finger extending outwardly of a plane defined by a surface of saidbed.
 2. The self-centering strap of claim 1, including a second fingerextending away from said bed.
 3. The self-centering strap of claim 1,including a mounting feature connected to said pedestal.
 4. Theself-centering strap of claim 3, said mounting feature being axiallyaligned with said pedestal.
 5. The self-centering strap of claim 3, saidmounting feature including a clamping structure of a base and a cover.6. The self-centering strap of claim 5, including a latch on a side ofsaid cover, and a spring connection between said cover and said latch.7. The self-centering strap of claim 6, including a second fingerextending away from said bed.
 8. The self-centering strap of claim 1,said finger having a distal end curving away from said bed laterally andaxially relative to a centerline of said pedestal.
 9. The self-centeringstrap of claim 8, including a second finger extending away from saidbed, said second finger having a second finger distal end curved awayfrom said bed laterally and axially relative to the centerline of saidpedestal.
 10. A self-centering strap, comprising: a main body defining abed outer surface; a cinch strap connected to said main body at a fixedproximal end of said cinch strap and selectively securable to said mainbody along a length of said cinch strap including a cinch strap distalend; and an abutment extending laterally and axially from said bed outersurface along a side of said bed opposite said fixed proximal end ofsaid cinch strap.
 11. The self-centering strap of claim 10, including asecond abutment extending laterally and axially from said bed outersurface along a side of said bed opposite said fixed proximal end ofsaid cinch strap and in spaced relation to said first mentionedabutment.
 12. The self-centering strap of claim 11, including a mountingfeature connected to said main body.
 13. The self-centering strap ofclaim 12, said mounting feature being axially aligned with said mainbody.
 14. The self-centering strap of claim 12, said mounting featureincluding a base and a cover defining a clamp, a hinge connecting saidbase to said cover, and a latch opposite said hinge for securing saidcover to said base.
 15. The self-centering strap of claim 14, said latchconnected to said cover by a flexible spring.
 16. A self-centeringstrap; comprising: a body including a mounting feature at one endthereof and a bed having an outer surface at an opposite end thereof,said outer surface configured for engaging an item held there against; astrap receiving aperture defined in said body between said mountingfeature and said outer surface; a cinch strap having a proximal endfixedly connected to said body, and having a distal end, said cinchstrap being elongated and flexible for forming a loop over said bed withsaid distal end inserted into said strap receiving aperture; and anabutment finger extending away from said bed laterally and axially fromsaid outer surface on an opposite side of said bed from said proximalend fixedly connected to said body.
 17. The self-centering strap ofclaim 16, including a second abutment finger in spaced relation to saidfirst abutment finger and extending away from said bed laterally andaxially from said outer surface.
 18. The self-centering strap of claim17, said mounting feature being axially aligned with said bed.
 19. Theself-centering strap of claim 17, said mounting feature including a baseand a cover forming a clamp.
 20. The self-centering strap of claim 19,said clamp having a latch connected to said cover by a flexible spring.